So, you finally purchased that motorcycle you’ve been wanting for so long, you completed your motorcycle safety course and now you are ready to pull up the kickstand and head out onto the open road to enjoy the freedom and comradery shared by millions of motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the world. But, before you get started on your new journey into the realm of bikerdome, it might be a good idea to enlighten yourself on some basic biker etiquette so that you do not become that annoying motorcycle rider everyone talks about!
Parking: You roll in to one of the big motorcycle hot spots and are greeted by a sea of chrome. Looking for a place to park you spot an opening behind two other bikes pulled into a single parking space. Don’t even think about it! Don’t assume for a moment that you will be leaving before those two riders you are getting ready to block in are going to, or think that they have “just enough” space to squeeze around your bike to get out. Unless you can leave them a clear shot to depart the parking space, don’t even think about parking there. All those other bikes you see stacked four in a spot all road in together and will leave together. Don’t be that motorcycle rider that blocks others in, it is a terrible way to introduce yourself to other riders.
Don’t Touch the Bikes: Feel free to admire other peoples bikes but under no circumstance is it acceptable to touch another biker’s motorcycle without first asking permission. Look, take pictures, complement and even drool a bit (just don’t get any on the bike) but laying your hands on another person’s bike is much the same as laying your hands on their women, it’s simply not acceptable and is likely to lead to a less than friendly discussion or worse.
Mr. Know It All: If this is your first bike as well as first introduction into the world of motorcycles, chances are you’re not going to make many friends trying to impress a fellow motorcycle rider with your vast array of newly acquired knowledge on bikes and the lifestyle that you just read from the internet. Everyone was new once upon a time and other bikers are typically more than happy to share with you their experiences, advice and answer any questions you may have. Any motorcycle rider that’s been around can spot a newbie from across the parking lot so own it and you’ll gain the respect of others for doing so.
Rolling Up on a Group: While you’ve been getting your feet wet and comfortable with riding over the past month, you could not help but notice those groups of bikes sharing the joy of the ride in a close formation. “Man I’d love to ride like that!” you think to yourself and low and behold, there you are inching up on a large group of bikes just in front of you. Do NOT even think about it! Do not get close to them and do not join their formation. You are not known to them, you were not invited into their tight knit group of riders and you most certainly will not be well received. Riding in close group formation takes both trust and experience, not just the experience of the rider but experience of all those riding together, learning each other’s riding habits and nuances. These groups do not form up overnight, it happens over time and each rider has individually been invited in to the riding group. So, as much as you may be tempted to close in on the trail bike, don’t even think about it. Hang back a decent distance and just pretend you are riding with them until you find your own group to ride with.
New Rider In the Group: When you have finally made some new motorcycle rider friends and have been invited to ride along with their group, don’t be too quick to stake claim on the Road Capitan position, your place is in the back of the pack. This is not some bike club probation thing, it is common sense and good riding manners. Nobody knows your riding skills or quirks nor do you know theirs, so for the first few outings together, simply claim your place in the back of the pack and get to know how each motorcycle rider in the group rides. Don’t worry about gaining their trust, they are all watching you even though you might think they cannot see you, they are paying a great deal of attention. If the group you happen to be riding with has a designation sweep rider or “tail gunner”, as some like to call it, you will ride in front of him or her as their job is to be the last in the group and to fall back with someone in case of trouble.
Wait for an Invitation: Under no circumstance should you invite yourself into another established group of riders. Even if you have been befriended by some of them, you may not be a riding fit. Don’t be offended if you are not asked to join in their little group of riders, the reasons could be many and are likely nothing to do with you personally. Many groups are close knit friends who have ridden together for years and have grown such a comfort with one another that riding together is instinctive more than anything else. They may also have a routine such that takes them to one of their homes at the end of a ride and are simply not close enough to you yet to bring things to that personal level. These are just a couple of reasons, there are dozens more. Don’t worry, you will find the right group to ride with or even start to build your own, you’re not the only new rider out there.
Talking to the Biker Ladies: Stopping in at one of the popular biker hangouts, on a Saturday afternoon, is a far cry different from taking an evening troll through one of the local pick-up spots. A group of ladies having drinks together all dress up in their sexy riding apparel by no means indicates that they are looking to be picked up and chances are their significant other is not far away. Striking up conversation with a group of motorcycle riders, all stopped in for a drink, is just fine but singling out a biker lady and throwing your cheesiest lines at her could come with the same consequences as touching another motorcycle riders bike!
What ever you do, just don’t be that annoying motorcycle rider that everyone dreads. Apply a little common since to everything you do and in no time you’ll find your spot in the great big world of motorcycle riders!
March 20, 2013- -
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March 21, 2013- -
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